Yeah IEMs are ideal for a situation like this assuming OP won't need to take them off every 2 minutes to talk with coworkers. My Tin T3+ blocks out a ton of noise when I get the seal perfectly.

For now my "endgame" is the Hifiman HE400se. I can describe it similarly to how you described your Sundara. Super clear, great extension on both ends, nice fitment, but a little on the heavy side.

These cans impress me a lot, especially now that I have a $600 speaker setup for my desk and these headphones sound a lot better in terms of overall detail and extension but not when it comes to staging scale or pure enjoyment.

At the moment it is difficult for me to feel a need to upgrade my headphone setup as the quality of the HE400se already feels amazing, the value is truly great. So when I eventually upgrade, it will be a big one and not a side grade.

I've been thinking about getting their Crusher Evos for the giggles

In terms of sound, my Tin T3+ may not be as detailed as my Hifiman HE400se, but it is tuned way better. For all day use, the Philips SHP9600 with Misodiko cooling gel pads is my favorite.

Philips SHP9600 with Misodiko cooling gel pads. I can wear them all day, and the sound is warm and bassy. it does everything I want it to do.

Just focus on enjoying the new hardware. Don't worry about anticipating another purchase for a while... You and I hope.

I'd pay any amount just to experience my first good headphone again. But I can distinguish the different sounds of my headphones pretty easily now.

Don't get too excited. I'm sure they are great, but first time impressions can vary person to person. You might need time with them to begin enjoying the difference. I had this experience with multiple headphones, especially the Hifiman HE400se. It sounded weak and harsh at first, but after two weeks I began to really notice the great amount of details and overall precision of the sound, it sounds neutral bright-ish to my ears today.

Subjective sound impressions + quick look at FR is a good combo. I like the way DMS does it but I don't trust him too much.

In my eyes the only true gaming IEMs are Final VR3000 but they aren't the greatest at music because of tuning. Tbh it's not necessary, any IEM can work fine for gaming because it's skill that matters.

The first song I like to use with testing a headphone is Trifonic - Lies.

I suggest spending more time with them as you're clearly still used to your previous headphones. After a week or two of active listening you can then decide what to do. The SHP9600 (I have it) has a warm sound with slightly de-emphasized treble. Midbass and upper bass are emphasized but the sub-bass is rolled off, so that's something to get used to. I personally think this is a good headphone.

I went from Razer Krakens to the SHP9600 over two years ago and it sounded really good but it took a minute for me to get used to the sound, and as you explained the sound seemingly was playing a bit outside the headphone which is normal for a lot of open back headphones (not all). Once you get used to the bigger sound, it will seem normal but with larger scale.

My two nitpicks for the SHP9600: I wish aftermarket pads were available because the bracket mechanism is different than the SHP9500. My own SHP9600 isn't being used much anymore because the left hinge has a poor connection with the left channel causing sound to cut in and out randomly. I think it's just my bad luck on this one.

I like listening to music with my main room light off but with my desk lamp on, it shines behind my monitor.

I'm hoping for good out of the box tuning but with very good DSP hardware with more than just EQ.

I already have Tinnitus from my early childhood. I listen at 70 or so DB and I get no problems. But I do need to get my ears checked again because I noticed that my left ear isn't hearing as much treble as my right so music can sound a bit right sided. My recent test from 4 months ago doesn't show this.

Painting is another good one.

For me personally, Trifonic - Lies is my most important test track because I'm sensitive to treble, so if a headphone makes my ears hurt, that song will reveal it. It also helps with analyzing soundstage, low bass, and imaging. Not a perfect balanced song but it does work well for what I do.

I'm the type of person to bring something like this to college to hold me over the long study times between classes.

The music can be downloaded but the user does not have access to the downloaded files. The music needs to be purchased (i think AMU allows this in the store?) before getting the files, I think.

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